NUJ condemns arrest of journalist Ronson Chan
The NUJ has joined sister unions in calling on authorities to drop all charges and end the targeting of journalists in Hong Kong.
The National Union of Journalists has joined the International Federation of Journalists in condemning the arrest of the chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association, Ronson Chan.
Chan was arrested on 7 September on ‘suspicion of obstructing police officers and disorder in a public place’ after leaving a meeting as part of his work for Channel C. Police allege the photographer’s arrest took place following his failure to present an identification card when requested.
Journalists and media organisations in Hong Kong have been targeted by authorities in recent years, with an estimated 100,000 people fleeing the country since the imposition of National Security Law by Chinese authorities.
The NUJ is calling on authorities to end its deliberate targeting of journalists and for charges brought against Chan to be dropped. Chan has been released on bail and must present to police later this month but it is unclear whether action by police will impact his ability to travel to the UK next month to join the Reuters Institute’s Fellowship Program at Oxford University.
The IFJ said:
“The arrest of Ronson Chan is completely unacceptable and yet another blatant attack on press freedom in Hong Kong. All charges against Chan must be cleared immediately.
"The IFJ and its affiliates call on Hong Kong’s administration to respect freedom of expression and freedom of the press as enshrined in the nation’s constitution and allow all journalists and media workers to work without fear of arrest or reprisal.
"Despite this and the obligations it has, the world has watched on at the Hong Kong authorities’ decimation of the independent media in Hong Kong.”